Liton Das, the Bangladesh captain for the three-match One Day International series against New Zealand starting Thursday, would like the senior campaigners - Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah - to enjoy their game as they are set to make a return to the national team.
Opening batter Tamim will be getting back to national colors since his retirement saga in July, followed by recovery from the injured lower back.
On the other hand, all-rounder Mahmudullah will be playing his first ODI since being dropped from the squad following the home series against England in March.
Bangladesh, in the series against the Kiwis, has rested majority of the players who are likely to be part of the upcoming World Cup.
Tamim is a sure shot inclusion for the world event but for Mahmudullah, it is an opportunity to make a comeback to the fold through the unsettled lower middle-order.
Mahmudullah and Soumya Sarkar have been called up for the series after Afif Hossain and Shamim Hossain failed to make an impact with the bat down the order.
“Obviously it helps a lot when you have two senior players [Tamim and Mahmudullah] in the side. They will be returning after a long break. I do not want to put any kind of pressure on them,” said wicketkeeper-batter Liton at the pre-match press conference at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur Wednesday.
“I don't want to talk about roles as it would depend on the situation. If we lose wickets early, and then Riyad bhai arrives at the crease with around 30-35 overs left, then he will play like he always does. I don't really need to specify how he needs to play as he is mature enough to know the role.
“The same goes for Soumya. Whichever position they get the chance, they will try to score runs. It is not just about them; every batter's responsibility is to score runs.”
Bangladesh have not been in the best of form in their favorite format of the game – ODI – recently.
In the just concluded Asia Cup 2023 held in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, Bangladesh were underwhelming having won just two games.
Their three defeats – twice to Sri Lanka and one against Pakistan – had raised concerns, especially with the batting unit.
Liton too has been in focus for his below-par contribution with the willow.
Liton’s average since 2019 stands at just below 40, scoring 1,508 runs with four hundreds and seven fifties at a strike-rate of over 87.
However, in his is last 10 innings, the right-handed batter garnered just 229 runs with an average of 29.62.
“I am trying and practicing to find a way. Hopefully, I will be able to make a comeback soon. It's not a matter of confidence. Let's see what happens,” said Liton.
